Before Digital, It Was All Chemistry
While it may seem like the digital camera has made film photography all but obsolete, for nearly 200 years, film was how we all took pictures. That means they used to sell a lot of film cameras.
Maybe you had some of these popular film cameras back in the day. Or maybe they're still hiding in your attic.
Kodak Brownie Series
Across its lifespan, the Kodak Brownie series—whose roots began in the early 1900s—was unimaginably widespread. The No. 2 alone shipped over 150,000 in its first year, and successive models carried the Brownie legacy throughout the mid‑20th century.
Kodak Brownie Number 2
The Kodak Brownie Number 2 was a groundbreaking box camera introduced in 1901 that helped popularize photography for the masses. It was easy to use and affordable—more than 150,000 units were shipped in its first year alone.
Håkan Svensson, Wikimedia Commons
Kodak Brownie 127
The Kodak Brownie 127, produced between 1952 and 1967, was a simple bakelite camera using 127 film that became widely popular. It sold in the millions during its production run, making it one of the most ubiquitous box cameras of its era.
Leif Skandsen, Wikimedia Commons
Kodak Brownie Starflash
In 1957, Kodak released the Brownie Starflash, its first internally synchronized flash camera. Although exact sales figures aren’t listed, the Starflash rode the Brownie brand’s popularity to reach many homes across the world.
Terri Monahan from Wellington, FL, USA, Wikimedia Commons
Agfa Clack
The Agfa Clack, also marketed as the Agfa Weekender in North America, was a mass‑market box camera produced between 1954 and 1965. It achieved over 1.65 million units sold, outpacing all other Agfa box models combined.
Argus C3 “The Brick”
The Argus C3, affectionately nicknamed “The Brick,” was a low‑cost 35 mm rangefinder camera made from 1939 to 1966. Its rugged design and reliable performance led to approximately 2.2 million units sold—making it one of America’s most popular cameras ever.
Kevin Stanchfield from Valencia, CA., America, Wikimedia Commons
Pentax K1000
The Pentax K1000, an all‑manual 35 mm SLR produced from 1976 to 1997, became legendary for its simplicity and durability. With over 3 million units sold, it remains one of the most enduring and beloved SLRs in photographic history.
John Kratz from Burlington NJ, USA, Wikimedia Commons
Canon AE‑1
The Canon AE‑1 revolutionized the SLR market when it launched. It was the first 35 mm SLR to sell over a million units, and its pioneering electronics paved the way for future camera advances.
Rolleiflex Automat
The Rolleiflex Automat was a twin‑lens camera that introduced automatic film advance and shutter cocking in the 1930s. By the end of 1938, over 300,000 units had been produced—an impressive feat for a premium medium‑format camera.
Encinalense, Wikimedia Commons
Rolleiflex
Building on the Automat’s success, the broader Rolleiflex range attracted orders exceeding 800 in its first month, and thousands followed as production expanded. These cameras became elite tools for professionals and enthusiasts alike.
Laya Gerlock from Philippines, Wikimedia Commons
35 mm Film Cameras Peak Annual Sales
In 1996, worldwide shipments of 35 mm film cameras reached an all‑time high of approximately 36.67 million units sold annually. This reflects the format’s immense popularity just before digital overtook the market.
Uberprutser, Wikimedia Commons
Kodak Disposable Cameras
While specific global figures are elusive, the Kodak disposable camera sold around 4.5 million units in Britain in a single year (1997), suggesting a staggering total when accounting for global sales.
Instant‑film Instax
Though slightly beyond the classic 20th‑century scope, Fujifilm’s Instax line is notable: since launching in 1998, over 100 million units have been sold, averaging roughly 3.7 million per year. This underscores the ongoing appeal of analog instant photography.
Petar Milošević, Wikimedia Commons
Leica M‑Series
The Leica M‑series, especially the M3 released in 1954, wasn’t necessarily the highest‑volume seller—but it deeply influenced photography culture. Leica continues to produce M6 and MP analog cameras, with about 5,000 units made in 2023 alone as part of a nostalgic revival.
Matthew T Rader, Wikimedia Commons
Leica M6/MP
The revived Leica M6/MP models celebrate analog's comeback: in 2023, production reached nearly 5,000 units—90% more than a decade earlier—underscoring renewed interest in high‑end film craftsmanship.
Thomas Claveirole, Wikimedia Commons
General Film Camera Peak vs Digital Rise
Film camera sales peaked in the 1990s, with 1996 shipments hitting 36.7 million units. Yet by 2002, digital cameras overtook film (24.55 vs 23.66 million), marking a major turning point in photographic history.
Then came the iPhone, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Bubba73 (Jud McCranie), Wikimedia Commons
Kodak’s Market Domination
At its zenith in the 1970s, Kodak dominated the photography world—holding up to 90% of the film market and 85% of camera sales. Its reach was unparalleled before digital disruption changed everything.
But seemingly one at the company was prepared for how bad it was going to be.
PODZO DI BORGO, Wikimedia Commons
Analog Decline in U.S. 2000–2010
In the U.S., film camera sales plunged from 19.7 million units in 2000 to under 250,000 by 2010—a dramatic collapse in just a decade as digital and smartphones surged.
Berthold Werner, Wikimedia Commons
Legacy and Nostalgia of Film
Though no longer dominant, film cameras remain deeply valued. Their tactile mechanics, unpredictable aesthetic, and nostalgic qualities now drive renewed appreciation from collectors and creators alike.
Maybe you had one of these popular models, and hopefully we inspired you to dig it out of the attic.
